Show notes
Titanic expert James Penca joins Patrick in the parlor for this unique episode of the Big Seance. James is a spokesperson and researcher for RMS Titanic, Inc., Creative Director for Titanic: Honor and Glory, and host of the Witness Titanic podcast. He only recently returned from the exciting 2024 Titanic Expedition that made headlines. Have you ever wondered what can be learned about a passenger or crew member, just from recovering a single artifact from the wreckage? Other topics include the re-discovery of the statue of Diana, the debate on whether the famous wreckage is a gravesite or in dire need of preservation, the last song played by Titanic's quartet, witness interviews, the truth about Bruce Ismay, premonitions of the disaster, the Titanic musical, and of course, the James Cameron film! Visit BigSeance.com/255 for more info. Other Listening Options Direct Download Link Resources: RMS Titanic, Inc. - discovertitanic.com Titanic: Honor and Glory - titanichg.com Titanic: Honor and Glory (YouTube): @TitanicHG Witness Titanic Podcast Witness Titanic Podcast (YouTube): @WitnessTitanic In this episode: Intro :00 James Penca has studied TITANIC and her incredible story for 25 years--an interest sparked by a school field trip to an RMS Titanic Inc. artifact exhibit. Today, he serves as spokesperson and researcher for RMS Titanic Inc., Creative Director of TITANIC: HONOR AND GLORY, and host of the WITNESS TITANIC podcast. James recently joined the exciting 2024 Titanic Expedition to lend his knowledge and passion for this legendary ship. :45 RMS Titanic, Inc. is the company that was granted salvage rights to the wreck of the RMS Titanic by a United States Federal Court order in 1994 and reconfirmed again in 1996. The court award includes the exclusive rights to recover the artifacts from the wreck site. They’re the ONLY group allowed to do that. Using Titanic’s artifacts in concert with scientific data and social history, RMS Titanic, Inc. brings to life TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition. Their mission is to preserve the legacy of Titanic’s maiden voyage, subsequent sinking, and the memory of her passengers and crew through care and display of our recovered artifacts, comprehensive educational programs, innovative exhibitions, research and recovery initiatives, wreck site imaging and analysis, and ongoing Titanic collaborations. Welcome to the Big Seance parlor, James Penca! 3:05 April 14th - Patrick’s Birthday, the evening Abraham Lincoln was shot, and the night Titanic struck the iceberg. 4:00 What Patrick thinks about when the topic of the Titanic comes up. 4:29 In the afterlife, James hopes to be able to go back to 1912 and enjoy time on the Titanic. 6:12 The Nomadic, the last remaining ship from the White Star line. 7:15 The beautiful virtual recreations of Titanic: Honor and Glory at titanichg.com and on YouTube. 8:20 James’ introduction to the world of Titanic. 11:20 RMS Titanic, Inc. 13:04 When you have your dream job! 16:09 James was invited to join the 2024 Titanic Expedition that took him to the wreckage site, plus discovering the Statue of Diana. 16:45 The potential of what can be learned about a passenger or crew member, just from recovering a single artifact. 23:39 Is it a gravesite? “Leave it alone” vs. Preservation. 28:30 Shoes on the ocean floor. 36:36 The United States Senate Inquiry. 38:57 The Witness Titanic podcast. 41:00 Ella White and other witnesses. 43:49 The last song played by the Titanic quartet? It’s quite possibly Songe d'Automne (Dream of Autumn) by Archibald Joyce. 47:09 Howard Irwin’s sheet music and other incredible stories of delicate artifact discoveries! 49:33 The truth about Bruce Ismay. 52:40 W.T. Stead, an important figure in the Spiritualist movement, died on the Titanic. Plus Titanic premonitions. 58:38 Martin Moran and Titanic the musical! 1:05:04 James is a beautiful singer! Plus Titanic exhibits and where to find everything James is a part of. 1:10:04 Outro 1:12:32 A special THANK YOU to Patreon supporters at the Super Paranerd and Parlor Guest level! 1:13:51 The Big Seance Podcast can be found right here, on Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn Radio, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeart Radio, and YouTube. Please subscribe and share with a fellow paranerd! Do you have any comments or feedback? Please contact me at [email protected]. Consider recording your voice feedback directly from your device on my SpeakPipe page! You can also call the show and leave feedback at (775) 583-5563 (or 7755-TELL-ME). I would love to include your voice feedback in a future show. The candles are already lit, so come on in and join the seance!